Additional stereo pair to enhance 5.1 setup
Yes I have read many other topics and comments regarding 5.1 setup and yes I understand that a Beam/Playbar/Playbase is designed as a 3.0 speaker.
BUT I honestly don't understand why I can't add 2 additional speakers, e.g. Play 5 as an additional stereo pair. I own a Playbase and a SUB (and 2 Play 1 as surround speakers). The Playbase is so smart, it has appropriate software, that it detects that a SUB has been added and reduces the bass and/or concentrates on the mid tones. The same could work with 2 additional speakers in the front area, so that the Playbase becomes a real center.
Yes, I also understand that something similar might work by grouping. But that's not a real 5.1, where the signals are split accordingly. Apart from the inconsistency that results from the different latencies of the loudspeakers.
With HDMI ARC (e.g. with the Beam), longer latencies shouldn't be a problem anymore, as the SONOS speakers can take enough time to buffer or process the signal and communicate it to the TV. This is what HDMI ARC is designed for.
Yes, I could buy an AMP (and 2 new speakers from another vendor like B&W) to get a better stereo result, both for movies and music. Especially listening to music is kind of ok with the Playbase, but not the way I imagine it to be. But this would make me lose a real center for movies.
This brings me back to 2 Play 5, which I would like to buy to get a great result for movies but maybe more importantly a great result (with SUB) for music.
SONOS, I want to give you money by buying additional speakers. Unfortunately, your current strict concept of 5.1 prevents me from doing so. Think about it.
Please extend the (software) capabilities of the 5.1 setup so that you can add 2 additional speakers as stereo pairs, making the Beam/Playbase/Playbar (or only the Beam as it is currently the only one with HDMI ARC) the center AND you can enjoy music again in STEREO with SUB.
At that point you would create a complete solution that will satisfy more demanding customers without losing the mainstream.
BUT I honestly don't understand why I can't add 2 additional speakers, e.g. Play 5 as an additional stereo pair. I own a Playbase and a SUB (and 2 Play 1 as surround speakers). The Playbase is so smart, it has appropriate software, that it detects that a SUB has been added and reduces the bass and/or concentrates on the mid tones. The same could work with 2 additional speakers in the front area, so that the Playbase becomes a real center.
Yes, I also understand that something similar might work by grouping. But that's not a real 5.1, where the signals are split accordingly. Apart from the inconsistency that results from the different latencies of the loudspeakers.
With HDMI ARC (e.g. with the Beam), longer latencies shouldn't be a problem anymore, as the SONOS speakers can take enough time to buffer or process the signal and communicate it to the TV. This is what HDMI ARC is designed for.
Yes, I could buy an AMP (and 2 new speakers from another vendor like B&W) to get a better stereo result, both for movies and music. Especially listening to music is kind of ok with the Playbase, but not the way I imagine it to be. But this would make me lose a real center for movies.
This brings me back to 2 Play 5, which I would like to buy to get a great result for movies but maybe more importantly a great result (with SUB) for music.
SONOS, I want to give you money by buying additional speakers. Unfortunately, your current strict concept of 5.1 prevents me from doing so. Think about it.
Please extend the (software) capabilities of the 5.1 setup so that you can add 2 additional speakers as stereo pairs, making the Beam/Playbase/Playbar (or only the Beam as it is currently the only one with HDMI ARC) the center AND you can enjoy music again in STEREO with SUB.
At that point you would create a complete solution that will satisfy more demanding customers without losing the mainstream.